Cigarette rolling machines, and the like



May 7, 1957 T. A. BANNING, JR

CIGARETTE ROLLING MACHINES, AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 3, 1955 I May 7, 1957 Filed June 3, 1955 T. A. BANNING, JR

CIGARETTE ROLLING MACHINES, AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 y 7, v1957 "r. A. BANNING, JR 2,791,221

CIGARETTE ROLLING MACHINES, AND THE LIKE Filed June 5, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Z2? IP56 United States Patent F CIGARETTE ROLLING MACHINES, AND THE LIKE Thomas A. Banning, In, Chicago, Ill.

Application June 3, 1955, Serial No. 513,118

19 Claims. (Cl. 131-60) The present invention has to do with improvements in cigarette rolling machines and the like. It concerns itself particularly with cigarette rolling machines of small size Which are convenient for carrying in the pocket of the user.

One object of the invention is to provide a cigarette rolling machine adapted to receive and contain a body of tobacco suificient for rolling a number of cigarettes, for example twenty, and also the necessary paper for rolling the cigarettes made from such body of tobacco. in this connection it is an object to provide a machine of such construction as to provide accommodation for the necessary amount of tobacco and paper and also cigarette rolling and operating mechanism within a very small size and shape of machine. Also to so arrange the parts that the total space within the machine is efiicient-ly used and with practically no waste space.

A further object of the invention is to make provision for cutting oft a cigarette so rolled and for sealing the paper around the tobacco so that the cigarettes are delivered in fully rolled and sealed condition and without the necessity of other operations being performed aside from those performed by the machine itself.

A further feature of the invention relates to the provision of a machine which is so constructed as to be adapted to receive a cartridge or carton of tobacco of size and shape peculiarly designed and intended for use in such machine, the machine being so constructed and arranged that it is inoperative in the absence of tobacco introduced into the machine within such special carton or cartridge. This will prevent the use of the machine with 1 bulk tobacco and will ensure the use of such special cartons or cartridges in the operation of the machine.

Especially it is an object to accomplish the above result by so arranging the parts that the cutoff knife is normally locked in an inoperative position and is only released therefrom when such special cartridge of carton is introduced into the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide the carton or cartridge of tobacco of such form and arrangement that it can be very easily and conveniently opened and when so opened the presser plate which serves to feed the tobacco into the former can be very easily introduced into the opened carton or cartridge itself.

Another feature of the invention relates to the provision of a presser plate construction which is so arranged that the springs are not released until the carton or cartridge of tobacco has been fully inserted into the machine, thus preventing the premature exertion of pressure on the tobacco and avoiding premature expulsion of the tobacco from the carton or cartridge.

Still another feature of the invention relates to the provision of means for mois'tening the overlapped portion of the cigarette paper as the cigarette is delivered from the machine, thus ensuring a proper sealing action simultaneously with the delivery of the cigarette. In this connection there is provided a tank or container holding a quantity of water suificient for sealing a num- K 2,791,221 Patented May 7, 1957 ber of cigarettes. It is an object to provide an arrangement including a suitable moistening wick in conjunction with such tank; and in order to prevent undue evaporation and loss of water from such wick I have provided an arrangement whereby the wick is normally protected and enclosed by a door or cover which can be conveniently opened when the machine is to be used.

A further feature of the invention relates to the provision of means for forming the paper and enclosing the tobacco into the paper as so formed, said arrangement being such that the paper is taken from a roll and is then curled up and overlapped over the tobacco in continuous fashion as the cigarette is withdrawn from the machine. In this connection it is an object to provide a machine in which the overlap and seam are straight and lie parallel to the axis of the forming cigarette as distinguished from an arrangement in which the paper is formed around. the tobacco in spiral fashion.

More particularly it is an. object of the invention to provide a pocket cigarette rolling machine in which the cigarette is continuously produced to whatever length may be desired and may be cut off at such length, thus making it possible for the smoker to form or roll his own cigarette of the desired length, said cigarette being perfectly formed and sealed throughout its length and being then cut elf in an accurate fashion.

In connection with the foregoing it is, however, an object of the invention to provide means whereby an indication is given of the successive withdrawal of cigarettes of standard length, for example two and threefourths inches, thus designating to the user the points at which withdrawn cigarette should be cut oit for nor mal operations.

A further feature of the invention relates to the provision of an arrangement which will give a visible indication to the user of the fact that the strip of paper is exhausted up to the point where a new paper supply should be introduced, and an arrangement in which the next succeeding strip of paper may be readily attached to the end portion of the previous strip so as to draw the new strip through the machine in normal feeding manner without the necessity of completely refeeding the machine.

Still another feature of the invention relates to the provision of an arrangement whereby the cigarette can be readily started from the machine at the beginning of a cigarette forming operation, notwithstanding the fact that the previously formed cigarette was cut off sharp at the end of the forming tube by the operation of cutting knife.

Another feature of the invention relates to the provision of a construction such that the paper and tobacco can be very easily introduced by an unskilled person and also a construction of machine such that the success of its operation does not depend upon any particular skill or expertness. Also to provide a machine of attractive appearance, one which is readily adapted to be carried in the pocket and also a machine which will not easily get out of order.

It is also an object to provide a machine of such construction that it can be very easily manufactured in quantities, from parts principally constructed of sheet metal stampings and made according to simple and well understood manufacturing operations.

Other objects and uses of the invention will appear from a detailed description of the same which consists in the features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a machine embodying the features of the present invention, the same 3 standing in upright position such as it would occupy in the vest pocket; *7

Figure 2 shows another perspective view of the machine in horizontal position but with the door or cover in open position preparatory to a cigarette forming operation;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a carton or cartlidge of tobacco intended for use in the machine of Figures 1 and 2, the same being in a sealed and unopened condition and showing the manner in which the revenue stamp is placed across the end which is intended to be opened;

Figure 4 shows a view corresponding to Figure 3 but with the tearing end of the package opened and the presser plate set into place along one side of the package;

Figure 5 shows a view similar to that of Figure 4 with the exception that the carton or cartridge has been turned over into horizontal position and the side face has been torn off preparatory to introduction into the machine;

Figure 6 shows a side view corresponding to Figure 2, the machine being in upright position and the manner in which the cigarette is withdrawn being indicated by dotted lines;

Figure 7 shows a bottom view corresponding to Figure 6;

Figure 8 shows a front end view corresponding to Figure 6;

Figure 9 shows a back end view corresponding to Figure 6;

Figure 10 shows a central longitudinal section through the machine, a paper carton or cartridge being shown in place therein, and Figure 10 may be considered as a section on the lines 101tl of Figures 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, and 14 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 11 shows a horizontal section on the lines 11-11 of Figures 6 and 10 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 12 shows a horizontal section on the line 12-12 of Figure 10 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 13 shows a cross section on the lines 13-13 of Figures 10, 11, and 12 looking in the directions of the arrows;

Figure 14 shows a cross section on the lines 1414 of Figures 10 and 11 looking in the directions of the arrows;

Figure 15 shows a fragmentary cross section on the lines 15-15 of Figures 10, 11, and 12 looking in the directions of the arrows;

Figure 16 shows a fragmentary longitudinal section on the lines 1616 of Figures 11 and 12 looking in the directions of the arrows, and shows the manner in which the lower rear corner of the machine opens up to permit the paper to be introduced into the forming horn;

Figure 17 shows a development of the sheet of metal from which the forming horn is made;

Figure 18 shows a development of the floor of the tobacco chamber;

Figure 19 shows a development of one of the side plates;

Figure 20 shows a development of the partition plate which serves to establish the paper compartment;

Figure 21 shows a development of the sheet of metal from which thecutting finger is formed;

Figure 22 shows a fragmentary horizontal section of the line 22-22 of Figure 10 looking in the direction of the arrows and shows the manner in which the spring presser plate is released when fully introduced into the machine;

Figure 23 shows a fragmentary portion of a strip of cigarettes rolled in the machine to which this invention relates and shows the markings which appear thereon, Figure 23 being on reduced scale as compared to the other figures;

Figure 24 shows a development of portions of paper strips for use in the present machine, showing the man- 4 net in which the paper strip is provided with a gummed edge and also with a gummed end so that the new strip can be readily drawn into the machine without having to refeed it;

Figure 25 shows a fragmentary plan view of a modified arrangement in which feeding rollers are provided for assisting the movement of the tobacco into the former; and

Figure 26 shows a cross section on the line 26-26 of Figure 25 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings, the present device includes a case, preferably of sheet metal designated in its entirety by the numeral 30. In the central lower portion of this case there is located a former 31, preferably of sheet metal of the general shape indicated in Figure 17. This sheet of metal is curled over from both sides at one end so as to establish a horn 32 formed by overlapping the corner 33 on to the corner 34. The edge portions 35 and 36 of the blank from which the former is made are folded over to establish inturned hooks 37 and 38 as shown particularly in Figure 13, and the side and edge portions of the blank are curled up and over towards each other gradually as best shown in Figures 11, 12, and 13, until finally at the position of the horn 32, the former is brought into a substantially circular or cylindrical shape.

One of the side corners 34, is cut back more than the other so that by lapping the corner 33 over the portion 34, there is produced a lap as shown particularly in Figure 7 12.

The entering end 39 of the former is flat so that a roll of paper 40 may be laid thereon as shown in Figure 10, in particular. The advancing strip of paper is carried up at both sides, the edges being received and guided by the flanged or hooked portions 37 and 38, so that finally as the advancing strip of paper enters the born 32, it has been curled around into cylindrical form and its left hand edge is lapped over and against the outside of the right hand edge.

The roll of paper 40 comprises a strip 41 (see Figure 21) which is gummed along the edge portion of its top surface as shown at 42.

Preferably, also the front or beginning end of the strip is also gummed on the same surface as shown at 43. (The strip shown in Figure 21 is substantially one-half actual width.) As the paper strip advances through the horn its gummed edge 42 is laid over and lapped against the outside surface of the right hand edge of the strip moving through the horn so that by moistening this overlapped edge immediately after it emerges from the horn a sealing action will be produced because the moisture will soak through the cigarette paper which is very thin and cause the proper adherence.

The blank from which the former is made is provided with a pair of elongated slotted openings 44 and 45 so that when the blank is made into the form of the former, these openings 44 and 45 are presented at the sides as shown in Figures 2, 6, 7, I0, 11, and 12. The forming cigarette may therefore be grasped by the thumb and forefinger through these openings 44 and 45 so as to start the forming cigarette out from the end of the horn, and as soon as this has been done, the projecting cigarette 46 (see Figure 6) may be grasped and pulled out continuously to whatever length is desired.

There is a floor or partition 47 placed immediately above the former 31, this partition being of the general form shown in the development of Figure 18. It comprises a piece of sheet metal having a notched opening 48 in position to register with the former up to a point where the side edges of the former approach relatively elose together so as to thus establish a substantially largo opening through which the tobacco enters the former and rests upon and advances with the paper strip moving through the former towards the horn.

The other end of the blank 47 is folded up at right angles to establish a partition 49 which reaches the full enamel '5 width of the case and up to its top or enclosing portion. This partition serves to separate a tobacco chamber 50 from the position of the former and also from the small chamber 51 at the delivery end of the machine and within which there is located the cut-off knife and sealing tank, etc. 7

The floor portion of the partition 47 is preferably riveted to the edges of the former as shown at 52 and 53 so as to hold these parts rigidly together and also to insure a tight connection between them and thus prevent particles or tobacco and paper from becoming wedged at an improper point.

The former and the partition 47 are located between a pair of side plates 54 and 55 which are of the general form of the blank shown in Figure 19. The blank 47 is provided with lugs 56 along one edge and lugs 57 along the other edge which lugs enter into suitable slots 58 formed in the side plates, after which the lugs may be folded over and clinched so asto lock the side plates and the partition 47 together. The former 31 is also rigidly attached to this unit by means of the rivets 52 and 53, already referred to.

Another partition 59 formed from a blank of general shape of Figure 20, is set between the lower rear corners of the plates 54 and 55. This blank 59 is provided with side lugs 60 and 61 Which enter the slotted openings 62 of the side plates 55 and are then folded over and clinched into place.

The lower edge of the partition 59 is preferably folded rearwardly so as to establish a tongue or lip 63 (see Figure 10, in particular), the same being located directly above the floor of the rear portion of the former. This rear or entering portion of the former is designated 39 in Figure 12, and it is in the form of a lip which projects back far enough to establish a seat upon which the roll of paper 4 rests as shown in Figure and in order to better facilitate the operation of the paper roll, the extreme rear end of the lip 39 is curled up slightly and the lip 63 is rounded slightly as shown in Figure 10.

The lip portion 39 when released will deflect down slightly as shown at Figure 16 and away from the lip 63 of the partition 59 thus establishing a slotted opening 64 through which the paper can be initially introduced when threading the machine. Afterwards, when the lip 39 is pressed upwards into its working position, the paper is very slightly gripped against the lip 63 with just enough pressure to cause the paper to move along smoothly so that it will enter the former in a neat smooth manner.

In connection with the foregoing, it is to be noted that the partition 59 is supported by the lugs 60 and 61 at its upper rear corners and the sheet metal of the partition is light and springy so that the pressure of the lip 63 against the surface of the paper strip is a spring pressure.

There is an L-shaped water tank 65 located between the side plates 54 and 55 at a position in advance of the partition 49. This water tank is thus located in front of the compartment 51 and extends over said compartment as clearly indicated in Figure 10.

There is a downwardly extending wick 66 which reaches slightly below thebottom of the water chamber 65 to ,a position Where the overlapped edge-portions of the paper will be moistened as the same emerges from the delivery end of the horn of the former. In other words, the wick 66 is located immediately in advance of the delivery end of the horn and slightly beyond the point of cut-off of the completed cigarette. I

A screw 67 is placed in the bottom of the Water tank 65 alongside of the wick 66. By turning the device up-side down, as shown in Figure 7, said screw 67 can be readily removed so as to fill the Water tank with an eye-dropper or the like, whereupon the screw can be replaced and the tank will hold sufficient water for the formation ofa good many cigarettes.

- The cut-off knife illustrated her' 'n is in the form of a circular blade 68 which is carried by a stud 69a'nd a small pinion 70 is rigidly connected to the blade. The edge of the blade is sharpened and the blade normally stands in the position shown in Figures 2, 10 and 14, in particular, where its cutting edge is slightly above the horn.

A spring arm 71 has one end rigidly supported, and at about the center of said arm it is provided with a downwardly extending lug 72 to which the stud 69 is journaled. There is a stationary segmental rack 73 with which the pinion 7i meshes so that as the arm 71 is moved down against its natural spring tendency, the blade 68 is moved down and traverses across the delivery path of the formed cigarette and at the same time said blade rotates. The formed cigarette is thus cut ofi by rotary shearing action. When the lever 71 is released, it will move up due to its spring tendency and thus the blade will be raised and simultaneously rotated in the backward direction.

The lever 71 is carried out through a slotted opening 74 of theadjacent side plate 55 so as to establish a finger piece 75 which can be readily engaged by the thumb or finger of the hand holding the machine in order to push said finger-piece down and thus cut ofi? the completed cigarette.

Preferably the lever 71, segmental rack 73, bracket lug 72, and finger piece 75 are all made in the form of a blank of the general shape shown in Figure 21. This blank is made of spring steel or the like so that it can be folded into the proper shape to establish the lever arm, segmental rack and bracket lug; and also is provided a corner portion 76 which can be rigidly connected to the side plate 54 by spot-welding or otherwise.

The parts thus far described comprise a unit or Works element which is set into a suitable casing. Said casing may be of either cheap finish such as nickel or chromium plate, or may be of a more elaborate finish such as gold or silver plate or solid gold or silver or other precious metal or may be enameled or otherwise handsomely finished. The case thus referred to includes the side walls 77 and 78, the front end 79, the back end 80, the top 81, and the bottom 82. The side wall '77 is slotted as shown at 83 to mesh with the slot 74 of the side plate 55 so that the finger piece 75 is properly exposed for manipulation. The front lower corners of the side plates 77 and 78 are cut away as best shown in Figures 1, 2, and 6 to expose the projecting horn portion 32 of the former, and also to expose the openings 44 and 45 by which the formed cigarette is initially grasped.

Preferably a cover member 84 is hinged to the bottom plate 82 of the case along the line 85 so that said cover can be turned into the closed position of Figure l or can be turned down into the open position of Figures 2, 6, and 7 in particular when the device is to be used. It will also be noted that when the cover is turned up into the closed position of Figure 1, it serves to protect the exposed end of the Wick 66 and -also substantially encloses the structure with the exception of the slotted opening 83, thus reducing evaporation of moisture and preventing dust and foreign matter from getting into the wick and into the former, etc.

There is provided a U-shaped removable clip 86 in the lowerrear portion of the case. This clip includes a bottom arm portion 87, the top portion 88 and a connecting portion 89, all of which will be readily understood from Figures 1, 2, 7, 9, and 10, in particular. This U-shaped clip can be readily removed rearwardly whereupon the paper compartment is opened and exposed as shown in Figure 16 and at the same time the lip 39 is permitted tordefiect downwardly so as to open up the slotted opening 64 preparatory to receiving a new threading of paper. The clip can be readily replaced by catching its arm 87 beneath the lip 39, pressing the same upwardly far enough to permit the arm 88 to be slipped in over the top of the partition 59.

The rear end 89 is removable and. comprises a sub stantially rectangular plate. When this plate is removed, the tobacco hopper 50 is exposed to enable the same to be filled. The plate 80 may be held in place by clips or in any other convenient manner, but in the construction herein disclosed it is held in place by the tobacco package or cartridge.

There is a plate 90 which is secured to the inner face of the plate 80 and projects inwardly therefrom at right angles as clearly shown in Figures 4, 5, and 10, in particular. This plate 90 is located quote close to the upper edge of the rear plate 80.

There is another presser plate 91 of practically the same size as the plate 90. A semi-elliptic spring 92 has the center portion of its bow riveted or rigidly secured to the center portion of the plate 90 and the end portions of said spring are extended through clips 93 and 94 located on the presser plate 91 near its ends.

There are two other semi-elliptic springs 95 and 96 which are located at the sides of the spring 92, and the center bow portions of the springs 95 and 96 are riveted to the center portion of the presser plate 91. The end portions of the springs 95 and 96 are extended through clips 97 and 98 on the plate 90. One end of the spring 92 is provided with a finger 99 and the other end is provided with a hook 100 (see Figure The finger 99 is enlarged laterally as shown in Figure 22, far enough to align with the end portions of the springs 95 and 96.

Those ends of the springs 95 and 96 adjacent to the hooked end 100 of the spring 92 are connected together by a cross piece 101; and the other ends of the springs 95 and 96 are provided with hooks 102 as best shown in Figure 10.

It will now be evident that when the presser plate 91 is squeezed up close to the plate 90, the springs will be compressed and the presser plate 91 may also be moved endwise a certain distance with respect to the plate 90 so that the hook 100 of the spring 92 can be engaged with the cross piece 101 of the springs 95 and 96 and at the same time the hooks 102 of the springs 95 and 96 can be engaged with the enlarged end 99 of the spring 92; thus the presser plate will be locked in position close to the plate 90, but by shifting the presser plate a slight distance endwise with respect to the plate 90 or conversely by shifting the plate 90 a slight distance endwise with respect to the presser plate, the hooks will be disengaged from the companion portions of the other springs and thus the springs will be permitted to expand and create a pressure tending to force the presser plate away from the plate 90.

It is intended that the tobacco used in this machine a shall be introduced into the hopper 50. I have provided means whereby this may be done in the form of a package of tobacco; and I have also provided if desired, means whereby the machine can be rendered inoperative except when supplied with tobacco in such packages or cartridges-being in such case inoperative for use with ordinary bulk or loose tobacco.

A typical package of tobacco is shown at 103 in Figure 3. It is made up in the manner which is well known and understood in the art at this time for making packages of tobacco and similar products, and may beprovided with a cellophane or other suitable humidor wrapping or packing. In the form illustrated, this package 102 is intended to be opened at the top end only, for which purpose it is provided with a tab 104 notched as shown at 105 so that when a cellophane wrapping is used, the top end of the package can be readily opened by tearing the tab 104 commencing at the notch 105 in the manner well understood in the art at this time. Having opened the package 103, it will be of the general appearance shown in Figure 4, open at its top end 106 so as to expose the contained tobacco. Incidentally, a revenue stamp 107 which was properly sealed over the top end of the package, is torn or destroyed in the customary manner when thepackage is opened.

Having opened the package, the end plate 80 of the case is taken from the case and the spring presser plate 91 is hooked to the plate 90 and in close proximity thereto so that said plates virtually constitute a single plate the inner ends of which are close together. This may then be slipped down into the opened package of tobacco and at one side thereof as shown in Figure 4. As this operation proceeds, care is taken to keep the spring 91 locked to the plate 90 in the manner already explained.

The plate 91 is, however, provided with a pair of lugs or cars 108 which reach out from one end of said plate so that when the end plate 80 and the plates 90 and 91 are finally forced clear down into the tobacco package,

, the lugs or cars 108 will strike against the edges of the tobacco package 103, thus arresting the movement of the plate 91, so that a slight further movement of the end plate and the plate will cause the spring ends to be unhooked from each other, whereupon spring pressure will be exerted upon the tobacco within the package.

Before the above final movement is performed, it is intended that the tobacco package, together with the end plate 80 and the plates 90 and 91 shall be set over into a substantially horizontal position as shown in Figure 5, and then the face 109 is torn away from the tobacco package so as to expose the tobacco along the surface 110 (see Figure 5). With the parts in this condition, the case of the cigarette roller is turned up side down and the tobacco package 103 in this opened condition is set into the case of the cigarette roller and as the plate 80 is finally pressed clear home, the hooks will be disengaged from the companion portions of the other springs, thus permitting the spring pressure to be exerted upon the tobacco within the hopper 50 and this will force the tobacco firmly into the open end of the former so that the machine will function properly. After this insertion has been accomplished, the machine may be held in the intended manner for its operation and the tobacco will continue to feed down into the former until the supply has been exhausted.

In order to lock the cut-off device against proper functioning until an authorized package of tobacco has been inserted into the machine, I have provided the device which I will now explain.

A spring finger 110 has one end riveted or otherwise permanently secured to the partition 49 at the face thereof within the tobacco compartment 50 (see Figures 10, 11, and 13). The free end of this spring finger 110' is bent over at right angles as shown at 111 in Figure 11, being located immediately above the position of the lever 71 by means of which the cut-off wheel 68 is operated. The end of this finger 111 is turned down and into the form of a hook as shown in Figure 7, and normally engages the lever 71 by hooking the same so that said lever cannot be pushed down in order to cut off a cigarette, but is held in the raised position of Figure 14. The introduction of loose tobacco into the hopper 50 will not cause any pressure to be exerted against the leaf spring 110 and therefore the cut-off lever will not be released. However, when an authorized and properly shaped and sized package of tobacco 103 is fully inserted into the hopper 50, its end will press against the leaf spring 110 as shown in Figures 10 and 13 in particular, thus pressing said spring over close to the partition 49 and causing the cutoff lever 71 to be released so that it can be properly operated.

It will be understood that the introduction of the paper strip or web and the initial feeding of the same through the former is easily accomplished when the hopper is not filled with tobacco and when there is no tobacco in the former. After the device has been in use, however, and it is desired to replenish the supply, there may remain some portions of tobacco within the former so that the same would interfere with an easy introduction of a fresh paper strip or web without cleaning out the remaining tobacco. In such case, however, a new roll and strip of the paper can be readily carried into the machine by moistening the gummed surface 43 of such web or strip 41 and attaching it to the rear end of the strip 41, which has been previously in use, so that the new strip will be drawn in and carried through the former as a continuous operation and without the necessity of a complete refeeding or threading operation.

It will also be understood that the length of cigarette which may be drawn out will depend largely on the wishes of the user. A standard cigarette is of a length of two and three-fourths inches and therefore I prefer to establish markings on the papef strip 41 such as the markings 112 designating proper cut-oif points for cigarettes of ordinary length; and if desired additional markings 113 may be provided on the paper strip to designate the number of each cigarette of the series represented by a single roll of paper. Usually there will be twenty-four or less cigarettes provided for in such roll.

Also, if desired, a special mark 114 may be formed on the paper strip at a point sufficiently close to the final end of such strip to warn the user that the supply of paper is becoming exhausted and that a new strip of paper should be attached and drawn into the former before the operation has proceeded so far as to require a complete threading operation.

Usually, the feed of tobacco into the opening 48 of the former will proceed in a satisfactory manner under the spring pressure of the springs 92, 95, and 96. In some cases, however, it may be desired to provide a roller or rollers Within the lower portion of the tobacco hopper to assist in movement of the tobacco into the openings 48. For such purpose, I have illustrated a small friction wheel or disk 115 mounted on a small shaft 116 which is journaled in the side plates 54 and 55, 'at a position close to the partition 59. This roller or wheel 115 rides on the surface of the paper moving along the flat floor of the former so that the travel of the paper itself causes the shaft 116 to be rotated.

There is a knurled or roughened drum 117 also journaled between the side plates 54 and 55 above the front end portion of the opening 48. This drum '117 is connected to the shaft 116 by a gear train 118, 119, and 120, and it will be understood that due to the interposition of the idler 119, the drum 117 rotates in the same direction as the roller 115 so as to carry the tobacco down into the opening 48.

. .As a matter of convenience, the case is preferably notched as shown at 121 at different points so as to facilitate the removal of the end plate 80 and the removal of the clip 86 for the paper roll.

In conclusion, it may be stated that manifestly the proportions and size of the machine may be varied within wide limits; but the figures herein illustrated are drawn to full scale with the exception of Figures 23 and 24 which are one-half scale so that it is evident that the device can be conveniently carried in the pocket or on the person of the user; and this is true for machines having a capacity of substantially 20-24 cigarettes without refilling.

While I have herein shown and described only certain embodiments of the features of my present invention, still I do not intend to limit myself thereto except as I may do so in the claims.

I claim:

1. A cigarette roller including in combination a cigarette former comprising a sheet metal blank of generally rectangular elongated shape having its two side portions rounded upwardly and towards each other commencing at opposing points in advance of its rear end and with progressively greater amounts of curl in the direction from its rear end towards its front end to a location of conjunction of said side portions in a tubular horn section in the front portion of said former, said horn portion providing a tubular passage of size the same as the cross-sectional size of the cigarette to be 10 produced, the rear uncurled portion of said blank being substantially flat for a distance suflicient to accommodate a roll of a strip of cigarette paper lying on said rear portion with its axis substantially normal to the length of the cigarette former, the length of said roll and the width of the paper strip being substantially the same as the width of the blank in its uncurled rear portion, a substantially rectangular housing enclosure having parallel side walls separated from each other a distance to accommodate the width of the rear portion of the cigarette former, said housing including a top and a bottom and a front wall, the cigarette former being seated within the lower portion of the housing and in proximity to the housing bottom with its upwardly rounded and curled portions extending upwardly from the bottom of the housing, a vertical partition extending transversely within the housing between its side walls and at a location above the horn of the former, and providing a vertical chamber in the housing above the horn, the front lower portions of the housing side walls,

and bottom being cut away to provide a transversely extending recess in the lower front portion of the housing enclosure, the horn extending into said recess and.

being therein exposed and accessible to the hand of the user at a location beneath the vertical front chamber aforesaid, a floor extending across the width of the housing enclosure above the upwardly rounded and curled.

portion of the cigarette former commencing at the loca-. tion of the lower portion of the vertical partition and extending rearwardly substantially to the location of the rear flat portion of the cigarette former, said floor being provided with a central substantially U-shaped cut-away portion above the cigarette former in advance of the rear flat portion thereof and establishing communication from a tobacco containing space within the housing enclosure above said fioor to the cigarette former for feed of tobacco from said space to a paper strip lying and travelling within the former, and a paper roll compartment partition member extending across the width of the housing enclosure above the rear flat portion of the cigarette former and including top and front paper roll compartment portions, the front paper roll compartment portion having its lower edge above the proximate fiat cigarette former portion and unconnected to said I flat portion to permit forward advance of paper strip from the paper roll compartment into the cigarette former.

2. Means as defined in claim 1, together with resilient means within the tobacco containing space acting in resilient manner towards the cut-away portion of the floor and towards the flat portion of the cigarette former.

3. Means as defined in claim 2, wherein said resilient means comprises spring means acting in said direction.

4. Means as defined in claim 3, together with a.to-

bacco presser plate extending across the tobacco containing space and substantially parallel to the floor and movable under urge of said spring means towards the floor.

5. Means as defined in claim 1, together with a removable rear wall for said housing, a forwardly extending plate of width to extend into the housing and secured to said removable rear wall, a tobacco presser plate beneath said first mentioned plate and of width to extend into the housing and movable towards the floor, and spring means between the first and second mentioned plates urging the second mentioned plate towards the floor.

6. Means as defined in claim 5, together with means to releasably connect the second mentioned plate to the first mentioned plate at a position in proximity of said second mentioned plate to the first mentioned plate against the urging of said spring means, and means to make inoperative said connecting means when the forwardly extending plate and the rear wall of the housing are fully located in working position with respect to the housing.

7. Means as defined in claim 6, wherein the second mentioned plate is endwise movable with respect to the first mentioned plate, and wherein said releasable connecting means is releasable by forward movement of the first mentioned plate with respect to the second mentioned plate, together with a part connected to the second mentioned plate in position to engage an obstruction within the housing during completion of inserting movement of the first mentioned plate into the housing and completion of seating movement of the rear wall into closing housing position, said obstruction and said part connected to the second mentioned plate being related to each other to arrest inserting movement of the second mentioned plate prior to completion of the seating movement of the rear wall With respect to the housing, while permitting release of said connecting means during completion of the seating movement of the rear wall of the housing.

8. Means as defined in claim 1, wherein the edge portions of the sheet metal blank are folded over towards the concave surface of the cigarette former for a distance extending substantially from the location of the flat rear portion of the cigarette former substantially to the location of conjunction of the side portions to thereby produce thin narrow channels along said edge portions of the cigarette former for reception of the proximate edges of the strip of cigarette paper and guidance of said strip during advance of the strip along the cigarette former.

9. Means as defined in claim 1, wherein the horn portion of one edge of the cigarette former blank overlies the proximate edge portion of the other edge of the cigarette former blank, and wherein the width of the fiat portion of the cigarette former blank and the width of the paper strip are greater than the circumference of the horn and the cigarette produced by the former, and wherein the overlying edge portion of the blank guides the corresponding edge'portion of the paper strip into overlapping engagement with the proximate opposite edge portion of the paper strip.

10. Means as defined in claim 9, together with means to moisten and seal together the overlapping edge portions of the paper strip, comprising a moistener located within the vertical chamber which is above the horn, said moistener including a container for water, and also including a wick extending from the interior to the exterior of such container and terminating in position to apply moistening water to the overlapping edge portions of the cigarette emerging from the horn.

11. Means as defined in claim 10, wherein the con tainer for water is located above the emerging cigarette, and wherein the wick extends downwardly from such container to the moisture applying position.

12. Means as defined in claim 1, together with means tocut off a length of formed cigarette, comprising a cutting blade within the vertical chamber which is above 7 the horn, a movable carrier for said blade, and means to mount said carrier for movement within the vertical chamber in a path of travel across the delivery end of the horn and in close proximity to said delivery end.

13. Means as defined in claim 12, wherein said cutting blade includes a cutting edge lying Within a plane, and wherein the means to mount the carrier comprises means to mount the carrier with said plane substantially normal to the path of cigarette delivery from the horn.

14. Means as defined in claim 13, wherein the cutting blade is circular, and wherein the movable mounting for the blade includes a journal mounting for blade rotation about an axis substantially parallel to the direction of cigarette delivery from the horn.

15. Means as defined in claim 14, together with means to cause blade rotation during travel of the cutting edge of the blade'across the path of cigarette delivery from the horn.

16. Means as defined in claim 12, wherein the means to mount the blade carrier includes spring means normally urging the carrier to position of the blade in nonregistry with the path of travel of the cigarette delivered by the horn, together with means to lock the blade carrier in position of the blade in registry with the path of travel of the cigarette delivered from the born, to thereby interfere with such delivery of the cigarette from the horn, and movable means contained within the tobacco containing space in proximity to the vertical partition and normally spring biased to position rearward of said partition, and a connection between said spring biased means and the blade carrier locking means, effective to make ineffective said locking means when the movable means which is within the tobacco containing space is forced into substantial engagement with the vertical partition against such spring bias.

17. Means as defined in claim 1, wherein the portion of the horn which extends into the recess at the lower front portion of the device is partially cut away to facilitate grasping the cigarette contained in the horn.

18. Means as defined in claim 17, wherein said partially cut away portion includes an opening through the horn exposing the surface of the cigarette contained within the horn.

19. Means as defined in claim 18, wherein there are two such openings in the horn located in substantial diametric opposition to each other.

No references cited. 

